What are the key technical points for growing organic cauliflower?
Land preparation and planting
In the field where organic cauliflower is to be grown, apply 5000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu, then deep-plough and rake the soil level to make beds. The beds should be 140-150 cm wide, with two rows of cauliflower planted per bed.
The planting spacing varies depending on the variety: early-maturing varieties should be spaced about 30 cm apart per plant, mid-maturing varieties 40-45 cm apart, and late-maturing varieties 50-60 cm apart. The density also varies with the season; generally, density is lower in autumn and higher in spring.
Temperature management
From planting to seedling establishment, organic cauliflower needs good heat preservation. The daytime temperature should ideally be 25°C, and the nighttime temperature slightly lower, preferably kept between 15-20°C. During the leaf rosette growth stage, the daytime temperature should be kept as close as possible to 20-25°C, while the nighttime temperature should stay around 15°C, neither too high nor too low. During the curd formation stage, organic cauliflower needs cool climatic conditions, so a daytime temperature of around 21°C and a nighttime temperature still kept between 10-15°C is better.
Water and fertilizer management
The principle of water and fertilizer management after planting organic cauliflower is to promote seedling growth early on, control water and fertilizer during the middle stage, and boost curd development in the late stage. Generally, only three key topdressings are needed: the first within one to two weeks after planting, the second about one month after planting when the plant has around a dozen true leaves, and the third when the plant begins to form curds. Apply 1000 kg of high-quality organic fertilizer per mu each time.
Moisture retention and pruning of side branches
The soil where cauliflower is grown should be kept moist, especially during the curd enlargement stage, when the soil must not be allowed to dry out. Note, however, that cauliflower is also susceptible to waterlogging, so during the growing period it is enough to keep the soil moist; if overwatered, drain promptly.
Cauliflower tends to produce side branches, which should be removed before harvest. When most of the main curds have grown to about 10 cm, a few side branches may be appropriately retained, but not too many. Clean dust off the plastic film regularly to keep it clean, improve light transmittance, and ensure the normal growth of organic cauliflower.
Pest and disease control
Cabbage caterpillars and diamondback moths are common pests and diseases when growing organic cauliflower. Once detected, they should be controlled promptly with Bacillus thuringiensis. If aphids appear, a 1% soap solution can be used for control. In addition, to reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases, net-house cultivation can also be used.
Growing delicious and nutritious organic cauliflower is not easy either! The editor now feels a bit guilty toward the people who grow cauliflower for not having appreciated it properly before. Now that we understand the growing techniques for organic cauliflower, let us take a look at its nutritional value!
How to grow organic vegetables? Organic vegetable growing techniques, organic vegetable growing methods
Introduction: As people's living standards improve, everyone's requirements for food safety are getting higher and higher, and even vegetables are now being grown organically. So, how do you grow organic vegetables? Below, the editor of First Agricultural Economics introduces organic vegetable growing methods for you.
The key technical points for growing organic vegetables are as follows:
1. Variety selection
Organic vegetable seeds and seedlings should be used. Choose vegetable types and varieties that adapt to the local soil and climate characteristics and are resistant to pests and diseases. The use of coated seeds and genetically modified seeds is prohibited.
2. Seed treatment techniques
Seed disinfection can use natural substance disinfection and hot water soaking techniques. Use a 300-fold potassium permanganate solution for 2 h, a 200-fold wood vinegar solution for 3 h, a 100-fold limewater solution for 1 h, or a 100-fold copper sulfate solution for 1 h for natural substance disinfection, followed by hot water soaking for 4 h.
Image: Organic eggplant cultivation
3. Soil and greenhouse disinfection
Use physical or natural substances for soil disinfection. Soil disinfection substances may include 3—5 degree lime-sulfur mixture, 100-fold crystalline lime-sulfur mixture, quicklime 37.5 kg/hm2, 100-fold potassium permanganate solution, or 50-fold wood vinegar solution. For seedbed disinfection, 3—5 d before sowing, spray the seedbed with 50-fold wood vinegar solution and cover with plastic film or plastic sheeting to seal; or mix sulfur (0.5 kg/m2) with the substrate and cover with plastic film to seal.
4. Crop rotation and field cleaning
Use at least 3 crops, including leguminous crops or green manure, for rotation. In areas where only 1 crop of vegetables can be grown per year, rotation with 2 crops including leguminous crops is permitted. After harvest, thoroughly clean up, and transport all diseased and residual plant material out of the base for destruction or deep burial.
5. Fertilizer application techniques for organic vegetables
The use of organic fertilizers (including animal and plant manure and residues, composted plant fertilizer, green manure, plant ash, and cake fertilizer, as well as organically certified special organic fertilizers and some microbial fertilizers) and some mineral substances (including potassium mineral powder, phosphate rock powder, and calcium chloride, etc.) is permitted. Generally, apply 45—60 t/hm2 of organic fertilizer as a base application, and 1500 kg/hm2 of special organic fertilizer as a topdressing. Use 80% of the total fertilizer amount as base fertilizer, and mix the fertilizer evenly into the tilled layer while preparing the land to facilitate root absorption. At the same time, apply topdressing skillfully. For vegetables with high planting density and shallow roots, the spread-and-topdress method can be used; for vegetables with wider row spacing and more concentrated roots, topdressing can be applied in furrows; for vegetables with wide row and plant spacing, topdressing can be applied in holes.
Image: Organic tomato cultivation
6. Pest, disease, and weed control techniques for organic vegetables
The use of all chemically synthesized pesticides is prohibited in the production process, and the use of products produced by genetic engineering technology is prohibited. Adhere to the principle of “prevention first, combined with control.” Through the selection of disease-resistant varieties, high-temperature disinfection, reasonable water and fertilizer management, crop rotation, diversified intercropping and relay cropping, and protection of natural enemies and other agricultural and physical measures, comprehensively control pests, diseases, and weeds.
7. Organic vegetables should be harvested at the right time
Never harvest during consecutive rainy days, because if the vegetables do not carry out enough photosynthesis, they will retain large amounts of nitrate. Also, do not fertilize a few days before harvest. When harvesting, the roots can be left in place; some vegetables will grow new sprouts. Otherwise, turn the soil over a few times, and after several rounds your soil will become very fertile.
Organic vegetable growing techniques and growing bases
Content summary: With the current emphasis on food safety, the requirement for no pollution and no added chemical elements has become an important standard in daily diets. Therefore, organic vegetables have come into existence, and judging by the current market, organic vegetables will gradually take the main stage. This article introduces organic vegetable growing techniques and growing bases.
[Organic vegetable growing techniques and growing bases]
Term explanation: Organic vegetables refer to edible vegetables grown with the prohibition of any pesticides or chemical growth promoters throughout the entire normal process. The food has higher green standards, pure nutrition, conforms to natural ecological concepts, and has strong health-promoting effects.
Organic vegetable growing bases
Organic vegetable growing bases have already expanded across the country, and the main organic vegetable growing bases today include Beijing, Shenzhen, Henan, Zhejiang, Chengdu, Chongqi, Shenyang, and others.
The Beijing organic vegetable growing base is the largest and most large-scale organic vegetable base in the country, with an area of more than about 500 mu. Its main representatives are Rainbow Rain organic vegetables and Happy Farm organic vegetable base, which can not only meet the market demand of the whole city but also deliver to surrounding provinces and cities, and have even begun online sales, with a complete delivery system.
Organic vegetable growing techniques
1. Variety selection: For growing organic vegetables, you can choose fruit seeds or seedlings. When selecting, mainly use non-GMO seeds; do not choose any kind of genetically modified seed.
2. Base selection: The selection of an organic vegetable base should have certain rotation characteristics, and its soil and outline should meet the requirements for growing at least three or more crops. Before and after harvest, it should be thoroughly cleaned.
3. Base preparation: Before planting, the base should have conditions such as greenhouses, light and heat, watering, and ventilation, and should create an environment suitable for vegetable survival.
4. Planting techniques: For growing organic vegetables, transplanting can be avoided, and direct sowing can be chosen to get it done in one step. Later, grafting, replanting, and close planting can be used to adjust for planting deficiencies.
Fertilizer selection for organic vegetables
In the cultivation of organic vegetables, no chemical fertilizers may come into contact with them. Only organic fertilizer and green manure can be chosen, and secondly, self-made decomposed fertilizer, human and livestock manure, plant ash, and cake fertilizer can also be chosen.
Before fertilizing, preparation should begin two months in advance. It can be appropriately diluted with water, and the purpose of fertilizing can be achieved by watering. Later, it can be covered with plastic film, straw, and so on to wait for fermentation. The temperature should be controlled above 60°C and maintained for one day, after which it returns to a normal growth state.
For the fertilizer amount for organic vegetables, the fertilizer amount per mu of field is below 4000 kg and should not be lower than 3000 kg. For later topdressing, mainly choose special fertilizer for organic vegetables, with a dosage of about 100 kg, and the topdressing time is the flowering stage.
Summary: This article mainly introduced the growing techniques for organic vegetables, as well as the main introduction to organic vegetable bases. Choosing to cultivate organic vegetables requires relatively high costs, and due to the limitation that they can only be grown in bases, they are not suitable for indoor home cultivation.